Fly line
The fly line itself is the most important part of the reel. By distributing the weight towards the end of the line that connects to your leader (defined as forward weight), the beginner can really feel the inertia of the line while casting and casting the fly effectively.
This section of line is usually a bright color to help the angler see where it is in the water, and how the water currents may be moving his fly. The weight forward fly line is the most popular because of its smoothness in casting, and the ability to work in strong winds or with large flies. The end of the line usually also has a loop built in and ready to connect to your leader, for easy attachment.
Beginner kit fly lines are floating lines, meaning they can move in the water. By starting with a floating line, the angler can adapt his method by adding weight to get the flies underwater for nymphing or streamer fishing.
Although there are sinking lines available, being able to change your style without compromising dry fly fishing ability is a bonus as you test the water and your preferences. In our recommendations, we note the quality of the flight line. Even though all kits include the same types of fly line (floating forward weight line) they have a different feel and texture. This can ultimately affect the cast and how the line travels on your fly rod, in the wind, and on the water.
Additionally, having a built-in loop at the end of the fly line (often created by a knot called a complete loop) to attach the leader gets brownie points with us. We think that a perfect loop knot should not stop between an angler and tying his first fly.
The leader
The leader is the last piece of line setup you need to run. A length of very light and light material that attaches to the end of your fly line. This section allows the flies to be presented in a stealthy manner, giving the angler some cover by creating distance between the fly and the brightly colored fly line to help avoid spooking the fish.
Leaders are tied, matching the width of the fly line they are attached to and gradually getting smaller. Tippet can be used to widen the leader or lower the diameter measurement with a very thin line that connects to your fly.
For our recommended beginner kits, we’ve noted if the kit includes a leader—because without it, an angler can’t fish. Tippet will be something to keep an eye on as you go out fishing more and become a more experienced miner. But you can start with just a leader without problems!
The reel
The reel itself holds all these parts of the line. In fly fishing, it really is the ultimate beginner’s plan.
The main difference between fly fishing and more traditional spin fishing (think a worm on a hook, or a plug that mimics a frog that has been pulled out and slowly re-inserted) is that in fly fishing, your line is what drives your lure, not your reel. This means you rely on the physical movement of the cast to get your line out of the water. Therefore, the fishing reel itself is not very important for fly fishing. The reel doesn’t need to be fancy.
Beginner kits seem to take this into account, often resorting to polymer materials or low quality metals in reel construction. This is actually fine in most cases – as long as the reel can hold up to normal wear and tear. We’ve noted rigor in our recommendations, as it’s especially important for starter kits. And while the beginner’s focus may be on practicing the basics of gear, the reel offers more sophisticated ways to manage the line and help the angler keep the fish on the hook. Each of these reels includes an adjustable drag, which controls the amount of resistance the reel puts on the line as it rewinds.